Bihar MBBS students urge BUHS, govt to postpone 2nd professional exam schedule, cite NMC norms
Patna: Pointing out that they have received only four to six months of academic teaching, second-year MBBS students in Bihar have requested the authorities to reconsider the schedule for the 2nd Professional MBBS Examination in September 2026.
Recently, the Bihar University of Health Sciences (BUHS) released the schedule for the 2nd Professional MBBS Examination.
According to the schedule, the exam is set to commence on 15.09.2026 and end on 28.09.2026. Thereafter, the practical examinations are scheduled to be held on 01.10.2026 and 15.10.2026.
However, according to the students, the results for the MBBS 1st Professional examination were declared in February 2026. Therefore, the students only got four to six months of academic teaching, as compared to the National Medical Commission's norms, which prescribe atleast 39 weeks of teaching.
The students have argued that due to such a short gap between two examinations, they now have very limited time to complete the syllabus and prepare properly, and this is putting immense pressure on them.
In this situation, the students have urged the State Government authorities, including the Vice Chancellor of BUHS and the State Health Minister, to intervene and ensure a fair examination schedule.
Representation to BUHS & State Government:
Raising the issue, 2nd year MBBS students from Lord Buddha Koshi Medical College and Hospital, Saharsa, Bhagwan Mahavir Institute Of Medical Sciences, Pawapuri, Nalanda, Government Medical College, Bettiah, Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital, NMCH Patna, Madhubani Medical College, JLNMCH Bhagarpur, Sri Krishna Medical College, ESIC Medical College Bihta, DMCH Darbhanga, submitted representations to various Government authorities, including the Vice Chancellor of BUHS, the Chief Secretary of the Bihar Government, and the Bihar Health Minister.
They pointed out that the First Professional MBBS Examination was conducted in October 2025, while the results were declared in February 2026. Consequently, Second Professional classes commenced only after the results were declared in February 2026. The academic period for the supplementary batch is even shorter, as the supplementary results were declared on June 8, 2026, and the Second Professional MBBS Examination has been scheduled to commence from 15th September 2026.
The students pointed out that due to this academic calendar, the annual batch got only 6 months of time to study, and the supplementary batch got around 3 months of time.
In their representation, the students referred to NMC's Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) Curriculum, which prescribes a 12-month duration for the Second Professional MBBS course. This requirement was further clarified by NMC on June 12, 2023, when the Commission reiterated that the duration for the Second Professional MBBS course shall be 12 months.
Therefore, the students argued that conducting the examination much earlier defeats the purpose of the prescribed curriculum, structured academic training, and mandatory clinical exposure. "The delay in commencement of the course resulted solely from the delayed declaration of the First Professional results, which was entirely beyond the control of the students," they argued.
Referring to this, the students urged the authorities to intervene and direct the University to reconsider the proposed examination schedule and revise it in accordance with the applicable NMC Regulations, ensuring that all students receive the prescribed duration of academic and clinical training before appearing for the Second Professional MBBS Examination.
"Medical education already involves a vast and demanding curriculum. We are not asking for any unfair advantage or an indefinite postponement. We are requesting only one additional month to prepare adequately for our professional examination," a student told Medical Dialogues under the condition of anonymity.
"Students have already tried to resolve this matter through the appropriate channels. We have approached the Hon'ble Health Minister and the Vice-Chancellor of the University and requested that the examination be postponed by a reasonable period. Unfortunately, despite our representations and concerns, the examination schedule has not been changed," the student added.
